With the Government of India-NSCN (IM) peace talks forever embroiled in uncertainty as to its outcome, there comes some words of wisdom from former Nagaland Finance Minister K Therie. The former minister evinced the necessity to establish a new approach towards the Naga Peace process and stressed the immediate necessity to hold talks with the neighboring states which are crucial in finding a durable and permanent solution to the decades old Naga political problem.

The whole idea and approach of the NSCN (IM) in pursuing the peace dialogue, if seen, from the perspective of the neighboring states seems to bother on "we don't care about our neighbors" attitude. That is understandable because the talks are purportedly held on the Prime Ministerial level and evidently it is based on the premise that the solution to the Naga problem can be brought about by New Delhi and New Delhi alone and this unconcerned mindset and predilection towards what these neighboring states can bring to the peace process, which is overlooked, can only prolong finding a resolution.

The talks are held between the Indian Nation and the Naga Nation anyways and neighboring states can hold off as these peace talks are for the big boys. Interesting indeed!

However, ground realities says things otherwise, because the main hurdle apparently is the NSCN(IM) demand for integration of all Naga inhabited areas and that is where the neighboring states come into the picture.

It is the territories in neighboring states like Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh that the NSCN (IM) is demanding to create Greater Nagaland or Nagalim and the stand and disposition of the NSCN (IM) in not engaging the sentiments and political reality of the neighboring states will not only make finding a solution hard enough but might totally lead to a collapse of the ceasefire and this scenario is only a losing option for the Naga peace effort as much as for the entire region.

And the reasons the scenario is a losing strategy for the NSCN (IM) and for the region is based on two simple facts. The NSCN (IM) leadership should be shrewd and ingenious enough to realize that India is content at keeping the entire region as a "low intensity conflict zone" which does not really hinder its military capabilities.

And secondly, the losers are going to be the entire North-Eastern region as continued insurgency and political uncertainty will not in anyway contribute to economic advancement or lead to any steps taken to improve the economic lot. Once again taking a cue from Bill Clinton- "It's the economy, Stupid!" Our world is obsessed with the economy. Almost everything we do is measured and considered in economic terms.

For each of the states of the North-East to have some semblance of political stability and economic viability, it is necessary for the entire region to approach the many issues facing the region in a fashion that is a beneficial for all the peoples residing in the region.

And it is not just talks with the New Delhi, but understanding one's neighbors because as the Naga MLA rightly concluded, the Government of India cannot bring any solution to either the Naga political problems or the problems of the other states without sensible steps initiated from our side as well. If Nagaland expects to be an "oasis of peace" in a region ridden with problems, that assumption and expectation would be far-fetched

Coming back to the situation at home in Manipur, the uproar over the alleged rape of Hmar women in the interiors of Manipur's Churachandpur district by valley-based insurgent outfits have resulted in protests by civil society groups in Churachandpur, the second largest town in Manipur and headquarter of Churachandpur district.

The valley-based underground outfits, namely the UNLF and the KCP alleged to have been involved in the mass rapes, have under their own investigation have given themselves a clean chit and of course there will be no buyers for that. On the other hand, civil society groups and NGOs belong to the Kuki-Chin-Mizo ethnic have stood by their allegations against the underground outfits.

The state government is taking up the investigation with the appointment of retired Justice SP Rajkhowa, a former judge of West Bengal High Court, to head the twin inquiry commissions instituted to probe into the alleged mass rape of Hmar women at Lungthulian village and the torture and molestation of Maibam Naobi by Thoubal Police Commandos in their custody. The underground outfits have agreed to cooperate for an independent investigation to the accusation of mass rape.

The important point to underscore in a scenario such as this is the frustration faced by the public of Manipur whether they are Meiteis, Nagas or people belonging to the Kuki-Chin-Mizo ethnic group. If we are to look back, we see all sorts of atrocities committed by men in arms.

The Manorama case had gotten the attention of the world with even a documentary film based on the Manorama issue getting an international award. Victims continue to belong to the fairer sex and it is high time that men in arms realize the futility of their very existence and understand that a good relationship with the people is of utmost important if either of two entities- the security forces or the underground groups- hopes to achieve anything significant.

Finally, the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) has released Dr. T Lunkim after holding him in captivity for 61 days charging him with taking Rs.9 lakhs from army authorities to affect the ceasefire with the Kuki Liberation Army and others. We will have to wait for elder church leader to tell his side of the story.

This is in the light of non-Naga hill-based underground outfits mostly belong to the Kuki-Chin-Mizo ethnic group entering into a ceasefire agreement with the Indian Army. We must recall that the Manipur Government did not appreciate such a move of the army authorities which it (the government) says should stick with its task of helping the civilians and not initiate any moves that are deemed political. The ceasefire supposedly agreed on does not include state security forces.

Looking at Manipur from above, one can detect a reign of almost total chaos. The government as has been the case at all times haven't been effective at all in every aspect of governance. Underground outfits have practically infiltrated almost all government departments and all developmental works have been contracted to underground outfits which siphon off money from the funds earmarked for various developmental projects.

The moral high ground adopted by the underground outfits is in their shunning of contract works such as the latest case with PREPAK which has announced that it would not indulge in contract works anymore. The bigger underground outfits probably have reached the financial threshold so as to not need contract works, but what about the other fledgling outfits trying to raise their heads up and dream of being recognized as a 'major' underground or revolutionary outfit.

Let it be known that there are a lot of clueless individuals masquerading as revolutionaries that is definitely dragging this state into a point of no return. They are rightly referred to as extortionists and the fine line should be drawn between revolutionaries and extortionists. Extortion gangs for all practical purposes need to be eliminated and this task should be undertaken by the more powerful underground outfits.

But then again even the powerful UNLF is coming under fire for alleged mass rape of Hmar women. Perhaps Manipur requires a radical solution. Families should be allowed to bear arms to protect themselves since it is families that are victims who are always at the receiving end. It would be provocative to suggest that the Right to Keep and Bear Arms as allowed by the Second Amendment in the US Constitution should also be incorporated in the constitution of the state of Manipur.

That would at least allow the victimized families in Manipur to protect themselves and create a level playing field in the increasing deteriorating law and order situation.